Volume 14.04 | Feb 4

A Gut Feeling about Neural Stem CellsResearchers at the University of Melbourne isolated neural stem cells from mice, cultured them to promote the formation of neural precursor cells, and implanted them into the muscle in the colons of recipient mice. They found that these cells were able to migrate away from the transplantation site and develop into neurons that provided stimulation to the portions of the gut that regulate motility. [Press release from EurekAlert! discussing online prepublication in The Journal of Clinical Investigation] Press Release | Full Article

Generation of an HIV Resistant T-Cell Line by Targeted “Stacking” of Restriction FactorsResearchers used zinc finger nucleases to insert a cocktail of anti-HIV restriction factors into the CCR5 locus in a T-cell reporter line, knocking out the CCR5 gene in the process. Mirroring the logic of highly active antiretroviral therapy, this strategy provides multiple parallel blocks to infection, dramatically limiting pathways for viral escape, without relying on random integration of transgenes into the genome. Because of the combination of blocks that this strategy creates, the modified T-cell lines are robustly resistant to both CCR5-tropic and CXCR4-tropic HIV-1. [Mol Ther] Abstract | Press Release

Researchers at Scripps to Study Possible New Treatment for Parkinson’s DiseaseScripps Clinic, in partnership with The Scripps Research Institute, has begun the research phase of a proposed clinical trial using induced pluripotent stem cells to halt or reverse the effects of Parkinson’s disease. Skin cells taken from Parkinson’s disease patients who meet select criteria are being cultivated in vitro and turned into pluripotent stem cells. These stem cells will be developed into dopamine-producing brain cells. [Scripps Health] Press Release

UK Research Councils Could Face MergersA government review could lead to major changes at the agencies charged with distributing much of the United Kingdom’s scientific funding. Possible changes to improve efficiency include bringing the roughly £3-billion annual spend of all seven research councils into a single pot – potentially resulting in a body that would look rather like the US National Science Foundation. [Cabinet Office, United Kingdom] Press Release

Fully Fund Research, European Industrial Leaders SayThe European Research Council, which funds top basic research, issued a joint letter with the European Round Table of Industrialists, a group that includes several dozen chief executives of Europe’s largest companies. The letter calls for European leaders to approve the proposed €80 billion budget for Horizon 2020, the research funding program slated to run from 2014 through 2020. [European Research Council, European Union] Press Release

Japan’s S&T Budget for 2013 SagsWhen the Japanese government approved a budget for the year beginning in April, at first glance scientists appeared to be the big losers. The Ministry of Education’s S&T budget, which covers the lion’s share of the nation’s research spending, will decline 3.3%, to $13.2 billion. [Education Ministry, Japan] Press Release

New Initiative Throws Open Access to Arabic Science EducationThe outgoing US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, launched a project that will lower obstacles to scientific education for Arabic-speaking people across the world. In one of her last acts as America’s top diplomat, Clinton launched the Open Book Project, which will make high-quality educational resources freely available online in the Arabic language. [US Secretary of State, United States] Press Release

1 Millionth Blood Stem Cell Transplant Marks Major Medical MilestoneThe collaborative work of medical scientists and physicians across the globe has resulted in a major medical milestone: the world’s 1 millionth blood stem cell transplant. The Worldwide Network for Blood and Marrow Transplantation said the 1 millionth transplant occurred in late December 2012. [Worldwide Network for Blood and Marrow Transplantation] Press Release